Proboscis Borneo Lodge

Jared and I were scheduled to fly to Sarawak, but the radio tower was down at the airport. Our flight was cancelled, and since I was only to be there for one night, we had the option to stay at Proboscis Borneo Lodge for the night.
The lodge has three different room types, Longhouse, platform room and these rooms. Jared wanted air conditioning, so I had to stay in the same area of the lodge as him. We were the only people staying there for the night.
That night we took a boat down the Klias River. There were fireflies in the trees that lit up like Christmas. Thousands of them dotted the trees and the sky was clear and starry. It was a fitting end to a wonderful trip.

Mount Kinabalu

We took a trip to Kinabalu Park at the foothills of Mount Kinabalu. Jared opted to sit in the van and work on some editing. I didn't travel all the way to Malaysia to sit in a van, so I took the canopy walk. It was raining, so there weren't any other visitors. Philip, our guide, came along with me. It was so quiet and peaceful in the canopy.
On the drive back, Mount Kinabalu cleared up for a few minutes. It was just long enought to snap of few pictures of the highest peak in SE Asia. I'd love to hike to the top one day.
This Santa Clause Orchid is one of thousands of orchids found on Borneo.

Monsopiad Cultural Village

Jared and I took an afternoon to visit Monsopiad Cultural Village. Monsopiad was a Kadazun warrior and headhunter. The cultural village is run by his descendants, who want to teach visitors about their culture and history. A visit is started with rice wine, the traditional welcome. Jared didn't want his, so I drank his (I didn't want to offend our hosts).
The cultural village is a private entity, relying on visitors and donations to keep it running.
Traditional dances are performed, with blow gun demonstrations. Blow guns were used to paralyze people and animals during the hunt. People who were captured had their heads removed. Monsopiad had more than 42 heads in his House of Skulls. The Kadazan perform a ceremony each year to honor the spirit of the victims.
Most of the skulls are still intact and visitor can view them with a staff member. Only one person in the tribe is allowed to touch the skulls, and then only when he has permission from the skulls.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

Jared and I flew to Kota Kinabalu on the Island of Borneo. We stayed at Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu and barely had time to take a breath before we were scheduled to do a site visit of Shangri La Rasa Ria. I really wanted to see the Orang Utan sanctuary for my website, but all the hotel did was walk us around. We finally got to the sanctuary, but the Orang Utans were put up for the day. I don't even know why we went, as we didn't get to see what we were supposed to. I did get to see the beach......for five minutes. And people think travel writers lay around drinking umbrella drinks.
My room at Le Meridien was fantastic. Everyone I met there was so nice and helpful. The hotel has a pool on site, a spa, workout facilities, bar, restaurant, business center, and conference facilities. Housekeeping was also on top of things. I had no complaints about this hotel.
From my window I could see the Philipino Market and Floating Village.

Eye on Malaysia

The second night in Kuala Lumpur, all the travel writers were gathered at a hotel for a buffet dinner. Then, we were ushered into our vehicles for a police escort to the Eye on Malaysia unveiling. The locals had been there all day enjoying the festivities. The media was brought to a seating area for a concert and performance. The Prime Minister was ro make an entrance later. Every time someone mentioned the Prime Minister of Malaysia, I snickered inside as thoughts of Zoolander entered my mind.
Costumed girls made their procession through the crowds. I was waiting for someone to throw me some beads, but then I remembered I was in Malaysia, not New Orleans.
The concert and performances began, as did the rain. I was seated next to Jared and behind the Dublin ladies. We started chatting and then the Australian gang joined us. Behind me was the editor from the Seoul Times who was pleasant to converse with. All the Malaysian superstars were singing on stage, but everyone sat in their seats. The Dublin Ladies and I started dancing while we giggled at the Saudi writers who were so excited to be able to dance and listen to music. There were new crews from all over and I think I was one television in 10 different countries that night.

After the festivities, the Australians and Dublin Ladies invited me for some grog. Jared was ready to get back to the hotel, so the driver had to go with him. I piled into the Australian van where we went to Legends Bar for a beer. We all had a nice chat, with me explaining that "No, Jared is not my husband," and exchanged cards, promising to email. The Dublin Ladies shared a cab with me back to the hotel. Such nice people.

Petaling Street

Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur is the place to get t-shirts and fake Burberry purses. The fake purses were nicer than the authentic Burberries. They were fabric, whereas the fake purses are plastic.
I researched before my trip and found references on the web about pickpockets on Petaling Street. I could see where tourists would be vulnerable in crowds, but no one bothered me.
You can buy just about anything on Petaling Street.

Malaysia

I was recognized by Tourism Malaysia at the opening night.

Somehow, someway, I was invited to visit Malaysia for my website, GiftedTravel.com. It took me about 22 hours in the air to get to Kuala Lumpure (KL to the locals). I only had one hour before the first function. I was paired up with Jared Barclay, a travel writer from Los Angeles. We walked into the press conference late and found out that there were 426 travel writers from all over the globe. I think I was one of two blondes out of the entire group. Somehow, I was seated at the VIP table next to the Minister of Tourism. Other writers at the table were from Ireland, UAE, France, and Bali.

After the dinner was over, Jared asked to stop and purchase film. Our driver brought us to the Petronas Towers. Of course, I had to have my picture taken for my personal scrapbook.
The next morning, we went to the mall and had some pulled tea. These girls sold muffins near the tea stand. It was a satisfying morning snack.
Our guide for the Kuala Lumpur portion of the visit was Hindu. He graciously took me to the temple and walked me around, explaining some traditions of his faith.

A Trip to Simpson, LA

The house where my grandmother lived with her five brothers and sisters.

My grandmother(Mimi) and aunt(Robbi) came in for a visit. They live in Alabama. Mimi hasn't been back to Louisiana since my wedding eleven years ago. We took her to see her sister, Aunt Bonnie. They all grew up in Simpson, Louisiana and a few relatives still live there.

My mom, Robbi (aunt), Stacey (Ruth's daughter), Mimi, and Ruth (cousin)

We visited Aunt Bonnie and all the cousins stopped by for a chat. I remember spending the night at Aunt Bonnie's house. All the men would get up early to go hunting. Aunt Bonnie would make the best black iron skillet buisuts and fried backstrap for breakfast. Mmmm!

We made a pit stop on our way out of Simpson at Ruth's house. She just got home from having bypass surgery. Ruth's mother, Sadie, is Mimi's sister. Aunt Sadie lives in Tennessee near Mimi.

My Mom, Mimi, and Robbi

Halfway back to Baton Rouge, we stopped at Lea's for a piece of pie. Of course, my mother had to bring home an entire pie for my dad. It is good pie, though.

Chocolate Meringue Pie at Lea's

And we all wonder in our family why we're overweight. Must be genetics. ;)

Travel Media Showcase

Willesha Lakin and myself

Travel Media Showcase is an industry gathering that has been described as "speed dating for travel writers" by my friend and colleague, Hillary Easom. This is a very good description. Travel writers from all over North America gather together for networking and appointments with destinations and public relations companies. In 2006, it was held in Fayetteville, North Caroline. I met some new friends, like Williesha Lakin.

Me, Brenda Potter Reynolds, and Kimberly Button

I also was able to meet some gals from BellaOnline.com, one of the websites I contribute to. This next year (2007) it will be held near Palm Springs, CA. I hope to be able to attend, but it all depends on schedules and airfare.

Fort Bragg

My friend Ernest Robl provided these pictures. I did some "training" where the 82nd Airborne trains at Fort Bragg. This was made possible on a day trip during Travel Media Showcase 2006. It was held in Fayetteville, North Carolina. I don't know how these guys and gals jump out of airplanes. I know I was very scared and I had a few false starts before I was able to get myself to jump.
But, I finally jumped. There's something unnatural about stepping off into air. I've done all my firefighter training and like to do adventurous things, but jumping without any tension in a line is just downright scary. I was so glad after those first four seconds and I felt the safety of the line.

It's a good thing I went to the bathroom before I jumped, because I would have peed in my pants otherwise.

So, to our men and women who jump out of airplanes and such for our freedom.....I salute you. You are some very brave people. And now, I have satisfied my curiousity and know that I will never desire to bungee jump.